December 30, 2007

Uses of mtDNA and Y-choromosome sequences

Deoxyribonucleic acid, more commonly known as DNA, has been arise again and again in the development of biomedical technology. The DNAs, the plan of man, are unique and specific to each individual, even among identical twins. In a word, DNAs of man are like fingerprints that identify each person, its roots and ancestry and ethnic origin, among others.

One of the main uses of DNA tests is the family name or test common ancestor more recent data. Thanks to DNA tests, people can now determine if people in the same family name of the parents. How is this done?

The male human DNA contains chromosome Y. This may tell us if two or more men in the same family name or surname are parents or not. And if they are, the DNA of the Y chromosome can also identify the MRCA or the most recent common ancestor that binds the two men.

In addition to being able to determine the ethnicity of an individual, his relation to another of the same name and their most recent common ancestor, the Y chromosome markers in the human genome sex Men can also provide information on the individual haplogroup. A haplogroup or haplotype is a group of individuals having the same genetic characteristics, giving the details of an individual for his deep ancestral lineage, whether father or mother.

However, given that only men have Y chromosomes, females may determine the same information with any other DNA test, mtDNA testing. Since mitochondrial DNA or mtDNA is transmitted by the mother of both male and female offspring, women do not need to worry about not knowing their roots, their ethnicity and their ties with people who have the same patronymic. Just as men have their Y chromosomes, women have their mtDNA tests to obtain the same information.

In truth, biomedical technology has come a long way in connecting life, past and present.

December 28, 2007

HGC advises DNA testing must be controlled

Great Britain is perhaps very close to a surge of publicly available genetic tests . Yet there are virtually no controls on independent tests before they are put up for sale, and it is notoriously difficult to regulate the allegations made to them by suppliers test. In poor conditions, many could even do more harm than good.

These are the conclusions of the report "More Genes Direct" of the Human Genetics Commission (HGC), released today (Tuesday).

Sir John Sulston, who chairs the HGC, said: "There is no doubt that many tests provided without recourse to a doctor or health professional could lead people totally useless d alarm or give them false reassurance. We have a thriving industry here and we have an urgent need to adapt the rules."

Commission calls for the approval mechanisms much more difficult, accepted codes of conduct and the end of direct advertising to the public for tests and services with important implications on health. Companies offering the tests should be made to prove that they are based on sound scientific data.

Dr. Christine Patch, an author of the report, said: "The HGC is against an outright ban on genetic tests sold directly to the public, but people should be aware of what they buying. My simple advice to the public is that, with a lot of tests on the market today, you are wasting your money. At this point, science is not strong enough to provide tests of several genes. "

The main recommendations of the Commission are as follows:

* A revision of the European directive which deals with genetic tests to get rid of the gaps which exempt market depth Pre-assessment.
* The cessation of direct advertising to the public for testing with major health implications.
* A new regulatory system for non-medical purposes "life" tests that did not fall within the EU directive.

The Commission intends to hold talks with the test providers, regulators and others in early 2008 to review the current system for the marketing of genetic tests.

December 27, 2007

Y-chromosome genealogy and the search for Adam

Chromosome Y can only be found in men. It has the form and function distinctive because it involves sex-determination during embryonic development (A male contains a human X chromosome and one Y chromosome).

Other than that, Y chromosome DNA contains paternal which is used in determining the father of descent (patrilineality), as it is passed from father to son. This is because most of the Y chromosome passes virtually unchanged from generation to generation.

In search of our ancestors from the parent help us understand our roots in our history and anthropology.

Basically, random mutation causes slight changes in the Y chromosome that allow us to elucidate total generations of the two Y chromosomes, which are derived from a common ancestor is also known as time to the most recent common ancestor (TMRCA).

Based on this concept, it is possible to clarify the relationship between the two men to make sure they are really connected with each other. The cutting edge of DNA testing, several genetic markers are used to estimate how men are closely linked to each other what can be done in a very short time and thus trace the paternal line.

There are five million years ago, our Y chromosome had traveled around the world since humans and our primate cousins were separated evolutionary. Y chromosome, Adam was discovered by comparison test on the men in the world capable of building a family tree of mankind shows that the most recent common ancestor of men lived about 60000 years in Africa.

The significance of the date of our common ancestor Y chromosome is that actually gives us an upper limit where our species began to leave Africa between 60000 and 50000 years. This is known as the "Out of Africa" theory.

Although the name "Adam" is just a metaphor, monitoring the results of the most recent common male ancestor of mankind reflect the origin and spread throughout the world are in biblical range of approximately 10000 to 60000 years.

December 26, 2007

The basics about Mitochondrial DNA inheritance and uses for genealogy

The mitochondrial DNA is a type of genetic test that is used to learn more about the mother's side of the family as mitochondrial DNA (also known as mother-DNA) is transmitted from the mother to her children. In this article we will see how the mitochondrial DNA testing is done, what he is used to the differences and testing of nuclear DNA.

DNA mitochondrial DNA is found in the mitochondria of cells and differs from nuclear DNA. The nuclear DNA is a combination of mother, father and DNA, while mitochondrial DNA is inherited only from the mother. When the egg from the mother and sperm from the father join to form the new baby of the tail of the sperm that contains the father of mitochondrial DNA are left out and the fact that the mother of mitochondrial DNA is transmitted to the child.

Like nuclear DNA testing mitochondrial DNA testing is done by first collecting a DNA sample either through a blood sample or through a cheek swab, the cheek swab is the best method. These samples are then sent to laboratories that are testing mitochondrial DNA, in turn, and they analyze the results.

Mitochondrial DNA testing is used for a number of reasons - the first is to establish a direct link to the mother's family on the side of the family, it can also be used in ' ancestry DNA testing to verify the mother descent or forensic DNA testing.

In the 1980's, Dr. Mary-Claire King has also started using mitochondrial DNA to solve cases where a child's parents are unknown. She used a section on mitochondrial DNA which vary considerably and have provided evidence of the mother or grandmother had. Because mitochondrial DNA is passed directly from mother to child through the generations, maternal uncles and aunts should also contain mitochondrial DNA matching that of a child whose parents disappeared, and so if the maternal grandmother can not be found, it is possible to try matching the child with an aunt or uncle.

In conclusion, mitochondrial DNA testing involves testing of mitochondrial DNA, which is passed from mother to child through the generations, and therefore can be used both to make match a child with his maternal grandmother, aunt or uncle, if the mother is absent, but also can be used DNA testing in the side maternal ancestry.

December 24, 2007

DNA Testing has Changed Everything

Since its discovery 20 years ago, the use of DNA for human identity and the relationship of the test has emerged as a powerful tool in both civil and criminal justice systems. DNA tests can reveal if two or more persons are related, as well as determining the nature of their relationship. Today, it is possible to identify people by a single hair, as well as to obtain information on their gender and ethnic background, and in the next two years, to identify their age.

Before the advent of DNA tests, tests of human identity was largely completed by blood typing. Analysis of DNA is now replaced blood and is the most accurate method currently available for identification.

The possibility that the DNA could be used for human identity and the relationship of the test had been examined from the time DNA has been found that the molecule that makes people unique. However, it was not until the discovery of DNA by Professor Alec Jeffreys (now Sir Alec) at the University of Leicester in 1984 when the first trials of the system are available. Like fingerprints classics, where various loops and whorls are compared between two fingerprints, DNA analysis based on the comparison of the DNA of certain characteristics called DNA markers between two individuals. If modes of DNA between samples are identical, then they are likely to come from the same person. If the profiles are not identical but are great similarities, the samples come most likely related individuals. The degree of similarity between the DNA profile is a reflection of the degree of relationship between people.

Currently, DNA testing is routinely used in both criminal and non-criminal. But there's a big difference between DNA testing for civilians and for criminal cases. For civil cases, DNA testing is mainly used to determine the relationship between individuals, while for criminal cases of a crime task must match the suspect.

No criminal in legal practice, DNA testing is used primarily for immigration and child support. In 2004, more than 7000 DNA tests have been made for these purposes in the UK. Where there are no reliable documentary evidence is not available, DNA testing can help to determine different degrees of relatedness between the individuals involved, as well as ethnic origin.

The first time DNA testing has been used for purposes of identity was in the landmark immigration case Sarbah vs. Home Office (1985). In this case, DNA testing was used to prove the relationship between mother-daughter Christiana Sarbah and his son Andrew. Today, the Home Office accepts DNA testing as proof of kinship virtually indisputable. The results will be generally (but not always) to provide conclusive evidence as to whether the individuals in question are related, as alleged.

UK Child Support Agency makes abundant use of DNA tests to determine who the biological parent of a child is to provide support and maintenance of children. Child support is one of the major areas of non-criminal DNA testing.

The adoption of children is another area where DNA analysis is widely applied. Currently, the UK adoption agencies adopt children in families that reflect their ethnic origin. Sometimes it is difficult to determine the ethics of the child and may contribute to DNA testing. People of different races and ethnic groups have their faces and other common characteristics that are typical of this particular race or group. The same applies to their genetic characteristics. Different racial and ethnic groups have genetic markers specific to these groups. Analysis of these markers, it is possible to indicate the proportion of his ancestors who came from various ethnic groups. However, it is impossible to determine at what stage the ancestors have contributed their DNA and also their number. For example, the results of DNA tests of ethnicity can show that the individual has 20% of specific markers to North Europe, 50% in the Middle East, 10% of the Mediterranean and 20% sub-Saharan Africa. Using this information the family with the greatest race of the child may be chosen.

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December 23, 2007

DNA testing and immigration

In most cases, DNA tests for immigration reasons are parental (paternity or maternity), but in some cases, a large parentage or avuncular test is used to prove an alleged relationship. Verification of paternity through DNA testing may be the key to establishing legal residency and citizenship. DNA Laboratory tests have helped thousands of people do. Providers of immigration DNA testing, also provide government agencies, local embassies and immigration clients with results of DNA test interpretation.

The Immigration and Nationality Act requires that the blood and the legal relations are established. In addition to the documentation, a genetic test may be required by a laboratory for DNA analysis. The laboratory must be accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks for Parentage Testing. About 50 laboratories around the world hold this accreditation. Immigration cases may be simply to determine paternity or maternity. In addition, family relationships may also be determined using DNA, with the participation of grandparents, uncles, aunts, brothers and sisters. In the case of a husband and wife, the petitioner may be required to demonstrate that there is no relationship.

The Immigration Act dealing with a case where a child is bound to only one parent differently. The treatment depends on the child is related to the mother or the father. When the child is revealed to the child's biological father, but not the mother, the Home Office usually seeks an explanation of the family on the following items:

1. If the child has been established and lives with the birth mother or natural father.
2. If the child's mother is also seeking entry or whether it meets the conditions for admission.
3. If the father had exercised solely responsible for the child's education.
4. If the father had a previous marriage or undisclosed is in a polygamous marriage.

When a child is bound only to the mother, the situation is different. It is a very delicate matter and it is generally treated with great sensitivity that the child may be illegitimate, and the father may not be aware. The impact of a disclosure of adultery could be disastrous for women. If the child was raised as a child in the family it is generally accepted. If the results of DNA tests indicate that the child was unrelated to the complainant, there could be grounds for the Home Office to grant the request. If it is proved that the child was put in place as a family member, he or she can be categorized as a de facto admission adopted child. In cases where the child is not a biological child of his parents, but it is related to them, the child may qualify as a dependent of a relative other than a parent.

December 22, 2007

DNA testing to predict and diagnose breast cancer

Genetic testing, which is also known as the test based on DNA is the most powerful technique used to test detection of breast cancer. It involves direct examination of the DNA molecule itself.
By using a molecular diagnostic test for determining whether a breast tumor respond to chemotherapy, the doctor's need to identify more precisely patients who can be adequately treated with hormonal therapy alone and which patients will truly benefit if chemotherapy is added to the treatment. With better individualized treatment, we can spare women the side effects of chemotherapy where it is unnecessary.

Breast cancer, like most other cancers, develops when changes occur in genes in the cells of the breast. In this sense, all breast cancer has a genetic component. But "genetic" is not hereditary. It is estimated that only 5% to 10% of all cases of hereditary breast cancer result from a genetic predisposition to the disease. In other words, more than 90% of all cases of breast cancer result from factors that are not inherited, and, in many cases, are not known.

So far, researchers have discovered two genes linked to breast cancer marked BRCA1 and BRCA2-that everyone inherits two: one from our mother and one from our father. When functioning normally, they are supposed to stop the growth of cancer cells in the breast. When these two genes in a pair are damaged, they don't work properly and cancer can develop. People who inherit a damaged BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene from only one parent are at greater risk of developing breast cancer than people who inherit two normal genes. Studies

can estimate the risk among a large number of people who have inherited a mutation, but not increase the risk for any individual woman. Women with a BRCA mutation have about 33% to 50% risk of developing cancer by age 50, and from 56% to 87% risk of the age of 70. Most research focuses on women with a strong family history of breast cancer or ovarian (several female relatives, on the one hand, which had breast and / or ovarian cancer before the age 40 years, cancer in both breasts, and / or cases of male breast cancer).

By being able to identify these genes through particular markers associated with genetics, doctors will know which individuals are more susceptible to cancer and can therefore follow the correct procedure. The earlier the doctor can diagnose cancer, the most effective treatment will be.
Scientists warn, however, that even if they have discovered a gene associated with breast cancer, there is still no cure available. They managed to identify the gene, but currently there is no way to "fix" the gene.
The recent isolation of the BRCA-1 gene has prompted investigators to identify other genes that may contribute to breast cancer, ovarian cancer and breast, ovarian cancer syndrome.

October 27, 2007

A glossary of terms about ancestry research


Ancestral Charts

Ancestral Chart are diagrams of a descendant and his/her ancestors. It is the framework or skeleton on which a Family History is built. It may be arranged in any one of a multitude of ways, sometimes resembling an open fan, but more often shown by a plain diagram on one or more sheets of paper ruled for the purpose and indicating the multiplication of lines necessary to represent the geometrical progression needed to accommodate the actual number of ancestors of any one person.

An Ancestral Chart will contain only names, dates of births, deaths and marriages, and possibly the place of residence of the various people named. It is a skeleton history giving only the vital record.

Ancestral History

An Ancestral History in a compilation of data combined with interesting incidents, with reference to lines of ascent from a common descendant. It starts with a person in the present or some recent time and works back to earlier dates along all lines of blood which have contributed to the life of the individual selected as the starting point, thus embracing many families of different surnames and many strains of blood in no way connected only as they are the ancestors of a common offspring. Ancestral History is one straight line from child to parent so far back as it is carried.

An Ancestral History, because its focal point is in one person of recent date, or at most in one family of brothers and sisters, is of more private nature than a genealogy. It is of interest in its totality to only a few people and is prepared more for a pastime than for any historical value it may reveal and, therefore, is not prepared with a view of publication.

Genealogy

A Genealogy is a compilation of data with reference to lines of decent. It starts with one common ancestor who may be the emigrant, or one of the emigrants if there were several bearing the same surname, who came to this country in colonial times. Or it may begin with any subsequent ancestor heading a particular branch of the family surname.
From the beginning point, wherever it may be, the genealogy works down to a more recent date, even to the present time enumerating by generations the descendants of the selected ancestor and following only the blood lines of the one chosen forefather. Genealogy is a history of one family of one blood strain only.

The genealogy may be restricted to those persons bearing the same surname as the selected ancestor in which case it is only the history of sons and unmarried daughters of the family, or it may be enlarged to include the marriages of daughters and the enumeration of their immediate families, which by the way is the most common practice and the plan to be most strongly recommended, or it may be still further extended to include all known descendants of the ancestor, thus embracing the ancestral name and the surnames acquired by the daughters through marriage in all branches.

The latter method would produce a family history which could be termed a full genealogy and would be the complete history so far as it could be gathered of an ancestor and all his blood descendants - the complete history of one strain of blood. Thus, while an Ancestral History is the history of a descendant and his ancestors, a Genealogy is a history of an ancestor and his descendants.

Genealogist

A Genealogist is a person who, professionally or otherwise, practices the science of examining public and private records with the object of compiling in some form the history of a family. In its broader meaning it embraces both those persons who are working on Genealogies and those who are preparing Ancestral Charts and Ancestral Histories. In this treatise the term Genealogist will be used in its broader sense to indicate any person who for any reason is examining and compiling any sort of family records.

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August 30, 2007

DNA Testing For Authentic Search Of Ancestry


Something that can really penetrate into your origin and give your birth identity along with ethnic proof is DNA testing. There is often a confusion regarding the genealogical DNA test. It is thought to detect genetic defects and disorders. But in fact the DNA test has nothing to do with disorders but to state your ancestral identity and its authenticity.

Basic DNA testing procedures

The DNA testing process is conducted by taking a DNA sample and that is very simple. A cheek-scrap is taken with the help of chewing gum or the conventional cheek swab and this sample is mailed for the final testing in the lab. The DNA tests related to bring out the ancestral history has been categorized broadly into two types. You must have heard of the Y-DNA testing and the Mt-DNA testing. Y refers to the Y-chromosome that determines the sex and Mt stands for mitochondria.

The Y-DNA test is done to find out the ancestry of a man because the Y-chromosome is the determining chromosomal factor that the baby will be a male or a female. Therefore this particular chromosome is inherited by the son from the father. The paternal side identity is marked by the Y-chromosome.

When the era enchants on gender equity, what about the mother's identity and how can that be decided through DNA testing? Mitochondrial DNA testing is exactly done to bring out the mother's identity. Mitochondrial testing of the DNA is conducted by taking the reference from the coding region present in the mitochondria and Hyper Variable Regions which are double in number. And it is considered that when the mitochondria in the DNA pass from the mother to the child, no change takes place.

Popularity of DNA testing

In recent times the genealogical DNA testing is in vogue. It has become the simplest tool to find out your origin and a trail of your ancestors. The genealogy is decided right sitting at your home because the DNA sample can be taken so easily in both the tests. Further you can cent percent rely on the authenticity of the test.

If the determination of the relationship of an individual with another is a little doubtful or cannot be tracked, you need not lose hope because the genealogical DNA testing is full-proved to bring about whether the relationship is true and genuine. So associating your existence with your ancestors has become so readily available with the mere examination of the nucleotides stored in the human DNA. Was it possible even a century ago? Hats off to Genetics and Microbiology to bring about this revolution!

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Jason Uvios writes about on DNA testing for authentic search of ancestry to visit :- paternity dna testing

July 23, 2007

Popular applications of DNA testing

DNA testing refers to a wide range of methods aimed to discover certain features of a person by means of analyzing DNA. Most applications of DNA testing are reserved for biologists, geneticists and medical science researchers and are steadily but silently contributing to improve our life quality. There are, however, some uses of the DNA technology that are being increasingly popular as they deal with issues that are very sensitive to the public opinion.

Probably the better known is paternity testing. This kind os study allows to know if a person is the parent of a child beyond any reasonable doubt. DNA paternity testing is routinely employed for many reasons, but we usually learn about it when celebrities are involved in one or other kind of scandal that require the use of legal paternity tests to establish paternity over a kid.

Forensic DNA testing is employed by police investigators as a crucial tool to solve crimes. DNA testing can precisely determine whether a person was in a crime scene, touched an object such as a gun, or had contact with a victim.

One of the newest applications of DNA analysis is the baby gender prediction test. By looking at a drop of blood from a pregnant woman, the test can determine if the unborn baby is a boy or a girl with high accuracy. The advantage over existing methods such as cvs, amniocentesis or ultrasound is that the DNA based test is safe, affordable and can be used as early as the 6th week of pregnancy.

Genetic science surprises us with new and amazing applications. This is one if the areas where reality overpasses fiction.

March 22, 2007

DNA technology at home

Technology has change the way we live at an overwhelming pace. However, few areas have advanced so impressively as molecular biology. Nobody ignores how much medicine has improved as a result of research done in the last few decades, considerably enhancing our quality of life. Aside from that, DNA technology has produced lots of tool and “gadgets” that turn up very useful at some instances of everyday life. Gene DNA Test is a website that connects us with many of the interesting applications of DNA technology. DNA-based tests to accurately establish paternity and easy ways to find out your ethnic background, including the proportion of Native American and/or African American ancestry running through your blood. Learn how an unexpected discovery led to develop a home test that can tell you the gender of your unborn baby by looking at the DNA in the mother’s blood. These and more affordable DNA tools are waiting for you at Gene DNA Test.

February 25, 2007

Are paternity tests %100 accurate?

The accuracy of DNA paternity testing is a question that many people asks when looking into having a DNA test done. Although no test can ever be 100% accurate, the importance of this relies on how confident you can be on the result, or how likely is that the paternity test results will resolve your paternity doubts.

Two kinds of results are involved in a paternity test. The first is called exclusion, which means that the individual being tested is excluded from being the biological father of a child. The paternity test revealed that the DNA of the person was not similar enough to the DNA of the child to consider him as the father. Exclusion results are almost always conclusive. If a man is excluded from being the father, the only possible scientifically relevant explanation is that he is not.

Inclusion of paternity are a different thing. Probability and likelihood of being the father are always considered here. Although no test can achieve 100%, the DNA analysis are carried out in such a way that at least 99% probability is obtained, although some DNA labs achieve 99.99% certainty that a child is the father.

The accuracy of a DNA test depends on how many markers (or loci) are tested on the DNA of the alleged father and child. More markers or loci means more accuracy, and fewer chances for error.

The most accurate DNA tests employ at least 13 to 16 loci or markers. Tests that use less than 13 markers still provide reasonably high levels of confidence, but the difference in the price of the test does not justify choosing the cheaper, less accurate tests.

Although %100 accuracy is technically not possible, 99.99% is considered a perfectly conclusive result. This level of accuracy can be obtained through testing a larger number of genetic markers and good DNA testing labs usually test 16 of such genetic loci. Always look for accredited DNA labs to clear up your doubts confidently.